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LIVERPOOL’S council leaders should seize the opportunity to create a fresh start following Sir David Henshaw’s resignation as chief executive, business leaders said.
On the eve of two of the most important years in the city’s history, the city’s leaders needed to adopt a fresh approach towards enhancing its reputation and driving its regeneration.
While he deserved praise for what he achieved in his six years in post, Sir David’s resignation – coupled with that of Mike Storey a month earlier - was a perfect opportunity to seize the day, said business group Downtown Liverpool in Business.
“First of all, Sir David’s achievements cannot and should not be overlooked,” said DLIB chairman Frank McKenna.
“He was one of a small number of people who turned Capital of Culture 2008 from a dream into a reality.
“But past performance is not enough in a job where you are the most powerful unelected person in the city on the eve of the most important two years in its recent history.
“As a result of personal feuds, the fact that council officers and members have been at loggerheads on almost every issue has been the city’s worst kept secret.”
It was regrettable that, amid all the other work which needed doing in the run up to Liverpool’s 800th birthday next year, and Capital of Culture the year after, the council now had to find a successor to Sir David.
But, coming so soon after the election of a new leader on the council’s benches, there was no better time to reinvigorate the rest of the city’s leadership team, Mr McKenna added.
“The past nine months have been difficult for everybody interested in this city as the feuds at the top of the council went from bad to worse.
“While we, on behalf of the private sector, are grateful to Sir David for all the good work he did during his six years at the council, his departure should restore some stability and credibility to the authority.
“We just hope that all parts of the council see this not only as an opportunity to reunite, but to adopt a new, more modern and open approach to the private sector as a result.
“After all, I would hope that Sir David’s legacy proved, if nothing else, that great things can be achieved when everybody works together towards the same goal.”
Note to editors
For more information, or to arrange an interview with Frank McKenna, please call Chris Marritt at Mason Media on 0151 707 4514 or 07908 214950.
